Latest news with #LegionofHonour
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Gisele Pelicot, Whose Husband Subjected Her To Mass Rapes, Receives France's Top Civic Honour
Pelicot, 72, earned international tributes for her courage in testifying at a trial in 2024 against her former husband, who drugged her and arranged for her to be raped by dozens of men over a decade. After that, she was named on lists of the world's most influential people by international media, and the case helped force a change in France's rape law. Pelicot, however, has maintained silence since the trial, with her lawyer stating that she's focused on writing a book to share her perspective on the mass rape case, set for release in 2026. Williams, 52, made his name as a rapper and singer but earned a second fortune as a music producer and after designing clothes and accessories for several brands. He has been Louis Vuitton's men's creative director since 2023. Luxury fashion designer made a splash at his recent Paris show, drawing A-list attendees like Jay-Z and Beyoncé, acclaimed directors Steve McQueen and Spike Lee, and sports icons. Actor Lea Drucker, veteran singer Sylvie Vartan, writer Marc Levy and Auschwitz deportee Yvette Levy, 99, were also among the figures awarded the Legion of Honour along with a host of former ministers, academics and top legal names.
Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Times
From the archive: A silent parade in Paris
From The Times: July 15, 1925 Today's review of the troops of the Paris Garrison at the Arc de Triomphe passed off without the slightest hitch in perfect weather. The crowd began to assemble by 7am, and two hours later was dense. As is usual with Paris spectators, it was extremely quiet, the only real cheer raised being one for General Couraud. By 9 o'clock a large number of military, diplomatic, and ministerial personages had arrived on the scene, and five minutes later 24 aeroplanes wheeled overhead in formation. At 9.10 M Doumergue, President of the Republic, drove up from the Elysée escorted by a detachment of Dragoons. He bent over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while a distant salute of guns broke the silence. The President then gave the accolade to a number of members of the Legion of Honour. The March Past then began, the troops, which had been assembled in the adjacent avenues, crossing the front of the Arc de Triomphe and disappearing down the Avenue d'Iéna. Led by General Charpy, there came the cadets of the Polytechnic, St Cyr and the Naval school. These were followed by General Lagrue, the Republican Guard, firemen, engineers, fusiliers marins, cyclists, the Fifth, Thirty-first, and Forty-sixth Regiments of Infantry, and the Twenty-first and Twenty-third Colonial Regiments, a few .75mm guns, and a considerable body of cavalry, some mobile anti-aircraft guns, and three siege guns drawn by tractors. The review over, the President and his entourage drove away down the Avenue des Champs Elysées between the silent crowds. A large crowd had again assembled by 4 o'clock to witness the arrival of the runners in a relay torch race, which began at the Citadel of Verdun at 12.30 this morning. The distance is 183¾ miles. One hundred and thirty-four runners, in six teams, took part. The winning team performed the ceremony, nominally performed daily at dusk, of reviving the Flame of Remembrance at the Arc de Triomphe, which is allowed to die down during the day. The winning team also had the right to lay on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier a bunch of poppies, cornflowers, and marguerites gathered on the battlefield. Explore 200 years of history as it appeared in the pages of The Times, from 1785 to 1985:
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Gisele Pelicot gets French honour
Gisele Pelicot, who became a feminist icon by publicly testifying over the mass rapes she endured, and rapper-turned-fashion designer Pharrell Williams were among 589 people awarded France's top civic honour on July 13, reported AFP. The announcement was made in France's official journal ahead of the country's national Bastille Day celebrations. Both Pelicot and Williams were both named knights of the Legion of Honour on a list announced ahead of France's July 14 national day. Pelicot, 72, earned international tributes for her courage in testifying at a French trial in 2024 against her former husband, who drugged her and arranged for her to be raped by dozens of men over a decade. Her testimony raised awareness around rape and gender-based violence, and ultimately changed rape laws in France. She has been named on lists of the world's most influential people by international media. However, Pelicot has remained silent since the trial. Her lawyer says she is concentrating on writing a book giving her side of the mass rape story, which is to be released in 2026. Meanwhile, American musician Williams, 52, made his name as a rapper and singer but earned a second fortune as a music producer and after designing clothes and accessories for several brands. He has been the Louis Vuitton men's creative director since 2023. Since joining Vuitton, Williams has relocated to Paris with his wife and four children. Williams' recent Paris show attracted a host of international celebrities, including singers Jay Z and Beyonce, film directors Steve McQueen and Spike Lee, and football and basketball stars. Actor Lea Drucker, veteran singer Sylvie Vartan, writer Marc Levy and Auschwitz deportee Yvette Levy, 99, were also among the figures awarded the Legion of Honour along with a host of former ministers, academics and top legal names.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Gisèle Pelicot receives France's highest civilian honor for bravery
Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old French woman known for her courageous courtroom testimony, has been awarded France's highest civilian honor, the Legion of Honour. She was named to the Bastille Day honors list, announced ahead of the national holiday, joining 589 other recipients. Pelicot earned international recognition last year after waiving her legal right to anonymity and publicly testifying against her husband, Dominique Pelicot, in a mass-rape case. In court, Dominique admitted to drugging his wife and arranging for around 50 men to rape her while she was unconscious over the span of nearly a decade. The trial concluded in December 2024 with Dominique Pelicot receiving the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for aggravated rape. Throughout the trial, Gisèle Pelicot attended nearly every session, becoming a symbol of resilience and bravery. Speaking to reporters during the proceedings, she said, 'I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too.' She added that she hoped to 'make shame swap sides,' shifting the stigma from victim to perpetrator. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly praised Pelicot, calling her a trailblazer whose 'dignity and courage moved and inspired France and the world.' According to her lawyer, a memoir telling Pelicot's story in her own words is currently in development and is expected to be published early next year. The award underscores not only Pelicot's personal bravery but also her lasting impact on the national conversation around sexual violence and victims' rights in France.
Al-Ahram Weekly
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
France decorates Egyptian MP Gihane Zaki with prestigious Legion of Honour award - Society
France awarded the Légion d'Honneur (Legion of Honour) to Dr. Gihane Zaki, Member of the Egyptian Parliament and Cultural Diplomat, on Sunday in recognition of her exceptional contributions to cultural diplomacy, academic thought leadership, and the advancement of intercultural understanding. Granted by presidential decree, the Legion of Honour, the country's highest national distinction, is conferred exclusively through nomination—never by personal application—and honours individuals, French or foreign, who have demonstrated outstanding merit in either civilian or military life. The decree, issued by French President Emmanuel Macron and published in the Journal Officiel, elevated Dr. Zaki to the rank of Chevalier (Knight), citing her unwavering commitment to the universal values of peace, liberty, and human dignity. The honour is traditionally presented at the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris, a symbolic venue that reflects France's historic ties with international partners across the globe. Dr. Zaki has earned international recognition for her work at the intersection of archaeology, cultural heritage, and diplomacy. In her capacity as a parliamentarian, she has played a prominent role in shaping policy dialogue around cultural preservation and cross-border collaboration. Before assuming her current position, Dr. Zaki served as Director of the Egyptian Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, where she championed artistic exchange between Egyptian and European creative communities. Her academic portfolio includes teaching roles at leading universities, where she delivered lectures on art history, intercultural studies, and heritage diplomacy. A prolific writer, Dr. Zaki has authored numerous publications exploring Egypt's cultural legacy and the transformative role of the arts in community development. Her work blends rigorous archaeological scholarship with contemporary perspectives on identity and global citizenship. She has also collaborated with international institutions such as UNESCO and ICCROM, while holding academic affiliations with both the Sorbonne University and Senghor University. As a cultural diplomacy expert, Dr. Zaki has represented Egypt at high-level global forums, fostering enduring relationships with European institutions, research centres, and cultural organisations worldwide. With this honour, she joins a distinguished group of Arab and Egyptian recipients of the Legion of Honour, including Mahmoud Fakhry Pasha, Mohamed Al-Fayed, Hazem El-Beblawi, and Mona Zulficar. Recent honourees have also included senior officials from the United Arab Emirates, underscoring the continued depth of France's engagement with the Arab world. Beyond celebrating Dr. Zaki's personal achievements, the award stands as a testament to Egypt's enduring role as a cultural bridge between civilisations—a mission she has long championed throughout her career. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
